Study Abroad Options

INFORMATION

For off-campus study of Spanish, Lawrence endorses several third-party programs and one direct exchange. Participation in all programs requires Lawrence approval and acceptance by the program sponsor or institution (see current course catalog for details).

International Studies Abroad established the Argentina study abroad program in 1999, ISA has been witness to the country's increasing popularity as a study abroad destination in South America. The allure of Argentina for American students can be attributed to numerous factors, including a vibrant cultural life and a unique sense of style known throughout Latin America. European influences are evident in the unique blend of architecture and cuisine, the distinct Argentinian Spanish, and world-renowned artistic contributions to music, literature, and dance. A diverse geography consisting of pristine forests, the majestic Andes Mountains, and beautiful beaches also contribute to Argentina's popularity. Argentina benefits from an excellent educational system and a multitude of very fine universities including the University of Belgrano, the academic anchor of ISA's Argentina study abroad program.

Santiago is flanked on the east by the lofty Cordillera de Los Andes with its snow-covered peaks, and on the west by the Cordillera de la Costa. It is a city of contrasts: its colonial vestiges and nineteenth-century buildings stand side by side with modern skyscrapers; its long shady avenues mingle with busy roads; and its plazas and parks are tranquil oases in the midst of the bustling metropolis. Although immersed in the hectic rhythm of this thriving city, its inhabitants maintain their hospitality toward foreigners. Leading Chile’s considerable cultural endeavors, Santiago boasts symphony orchestras, major dance companies, a host of professional theatre groups, a full slate of concerts and movie theatres, and attractive craft markets. Today Santiago has more than five million inhabitants, a third of the country’s population. As the capital of the country with the fastest growing economy in Latin America, Santiago is an ideal place to observe rapid development and change. Santiago combines the ambiance of a major urban center with a Latin American rhythm and flair. The city has a lively cultural scene. Its discos, clubs, and restaurants representative of many different cuisines, offer myriad opportunities to meet with Chilean and American friends. The Universidad de Chile, one of the leading universities in Latin America, and the largest and most prestigious university in Chile, contributes to the cultural and intellectual life of the city. For students who enjoy the outdoors, the city offers close proximity to hiking trails, skiing in the Andes and ocean beaches.

COSTA RICA: ACM COSTA RICA WEB >>
Studies in Latin American Culture and Society
(Fall only) is an interdisciplinary program for students seeking a comprehensive understanding of life in Latin America and wishing to develop fluency in Spanish. The program, which focuses on the humanities and social sciences, is designed to take full advantage of its Costa Rican setting.

Language study is stressed as the key to understanding the culture. Course work in language, literature, geography, anthropology, politics, and cultural change enables students to develop insights that are reinforced by field trips and two weeks of field work in rural areas. In San José and its surroundings, students live with families, both to improve their language ability and to enjoy personal involvement in the daily life of a Latin American community. Previous language study is required.

SPAIN: ISA HISPANIC STUDIES GRANADA WEB
Granada (440,000) offers a rich history and cultural diversity, a plethora of outdoor activities, and the charm, balmy weather, and distinct feel of Southern Spain. Perhaps best known for the Alhambra, a massive complex of fortress and palaces, Granada also boasts its historical Moorish quarter, gypsy caves with flamenco "tablaos", and beautiful Renaissance monuments, such as the Cathedral, Royal Chapel, beautiful plazas and university buildings. Students will enjoy exploring this walkable city, which also has a convenient and safe public transportation system. Granada offers shopping at various traditional and modern markets, dancing in the many clubs, free tapas at its many bars and restaurants, hiking in the surrounding mountains, world-class skiing in Sierra Nevada, and gorgeous Mediterranean beaches as close as one hour away. The rattle of castanets and the strum of flamenco guitars echo through the valleys of Granada, the city of poet Federico García Lorca. Trips include visits to Toledo, Madrid, El Escorial, Córdoba, Sevilla, Málaga, Ronda, Nerja, Ubeda, Baeza, and an excursion to Morocco.

Offered throughout the academic year, but especially compatible with Lawrence's FALL TERM, the advanced HISPANIC STUDIES program icludes a wide range of available courses, ranging from Business Spanish, and Intro. to Spanish Law, to History of Spanish Music, Flamenco and Traditional spanish Music, and Islamic Culture in Spain.

SPAIN: IES SALAMANCA WEB >>
Located in a small charming city (150 000 inhabitants) famous for its medieval and renaissance, "plateresque" buildings of golden sandstone, near the border of Portugal, the program in Salamanca offers Spanish-taught courses focusing on Iberian culture, comparative studies of the Mediterranean basin, and comparative studies of Spain and Latin America. The majority of students also choose to enroll in several courses at the Universidad de Salamanca, one of Europe's most venerable learning institutions, founded in 1250. By special arrangement with the Universidad, fall semester students may take early exams in their Universidad courses, which allows them to leave in mid-December. Salamanca program is therefore fully compatible with Lawrence's academic calendar.

The program also arranges education and ESL internships, as well as field trips to other parts of Spain and, in the spring semester, Morocco. The program is offered for a summer, semester, or academic year. Previous language study is required.

*SPAIN: UNIVERSIDAD DE MALAGA (Direct enrollment) WEB >>
Located on the beautiful Southern Mediterranean stretch of coast known as Costa del Sol, Malaga is a vibrant city in the region of Andalucia, Spain. Malaga is one of the most visited cities in all of Spain and Europe. This is due to its beaches, temperate climate, friendly atmosphere, rich history, and great offer of cultural sites and recreational activities. This program is designed for advanced Spanish students who are independent and wish to pursue directly enrolling in a Spanish university. The University of Málaga (UMA) is a large public institution with a strong reputation in the European Higher Education Area. Students take courses within academic departments at UMA as well as a language preparation class, if necessary. UMA offers a broad curriculum and students choose classes in consultation with their Lawrence faculty advisor. Students are housed in university dormitories.

Prerequisites:
Applicants must be juniors or seniors by the time of the exchange, have a minimum GPA of 3.0, and have completed at least one SPAN 400-level class satisfactorily. Applications from sophomores may be considered if their linguistic ability and academic preparation in Spanish is considered sufficient by the Spanish department.

ECUADOR: IES QUITO WEB >>
Ecuador is a country characterized by diversity -- of people, language, and environment. The majority of Ecuadorians are mestizos, people with a mixture of indigenous and European ancestry. There are 12 distinct ethnic groups that speak 18 languages, and a third of the population is wholly indigenous.
Roughly the size of the state of Colorado, Ecuador has the environmental megadiversity of a much larger country. Four eco-regions -- the Amazon basin, the high Andes, the coastal plain, and the Galápagos Islands -- offer a wealth of flora and fauna that attracts biologists, botanists, and environmentalists from around the world.